The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

[classic1908]

Oh, Gawd. Kate Mulleavy has got to be one of the hot messiest designers in fashion. The things I've seen from Rodarte are gorgeous. I have one of their Gap Design Editions blouses, BTW.
In view of that, why can't she dress herself properly? It must be a self-esteem issue.
Trust, if I could sew and design, I'd look fierce. Shoot, I look pretty cool even though I can't sew.

[cait]

Pix of poor Kate just make me sad. But maybe it's self-esteem beyond just her weight. I think Miucci Prada has the same issue, she seems to be dressed like she just can't be bothered when I see pix of her.

As for ALT, he's OTT almost no matter what he wears. At least he's having fun, I guess?

[writergal28]

I posted this in the weight thread, but maybe designers who make specialize in "non-standard" sizes (plus/petite) should be rewarded for doing so. But good luck on getting this to happen!

[BlkLadyLaw]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6005200/...oductBrandLink

I just ordered the midnight caftan

[classic1908]

I am hoping Phillips-Van Heusen, not Macy's, will be the Ellen Tracy or Dana Buchman buyer. Macy's simply doesn't make ET/DB's plus lines readily available in Bloomingdale's, which is Macy's upscale channel.

ET and DB used to be available in the Newport Beach and Century City Shops for Women; I had credit card bills to prove it.

Liz Claiborne brands seen as good buys for some

Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:45PM EDT
By Martinne Geller
NEW YORK, July 12 (Reuters) - Names of potential bidders for Liz Claiborne Inc.'s (LIZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) apparel brands were on analysts' lips on Thursday, a day after the company said it was reviewing options, including sales, for a slew of its labels.
The brands, with estimated 2007 sales of about $800 million, could either be sold, discontinued or licensed to retailers or third-party operators, according to the company, whose eponymous founder died last month at age 78 after a battle with cancer.
The move had been expected as part of a make-over being instituted by Chief Executive Officer William McComb, who came on board less than a year ago. He is aiming to shift the company's focus from wholesale to retail by expanding a few high-growth brands and shedding many others.
Clothing designer Liz Claiborne, who started the company in 1976 with her husband and two partners, retired in 1989.
Credit Suisse analyst Michael Exstein said the possible Liz divestitures could present unique opportunities for apparel retailers, especially department stores, as they look for ways to differentiate themselves in a very competitive environment.
He said licensing companies such as Iconix Brand Group Inc. (ICON.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and NexCen Brands Inc. (NEXC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) or sourcing companies such as Li & Fung Ltd. (0494.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) would likely compete to acquire the brands that might be on the block, which include Ellen Tracy, Dana Buchman and Enyce.
Robert D'Loren, chief executive of NexCen, said the company, which manages brands such as The Athlete's Foot and Bill Blass, has been contacted by strategic partners to jointly consider potential opportunities with the Liz brands.
"NexCen is in an aggressive acquisition mode," D'Loren said in an e-mailed statement. "It will not overlook any market opportunities."
Iconix spokeswoman Maria Dolgetta said the company is always looking for acquisitions but declined to comment specifically on the Liz brands.
On the retail front, Credit Suisse's Exstein wrote that Macy's Inc. (M.N: Quote, Profile, Research) could be a potential acquirer for the Ellen Tracy and Prana brands, and that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) could benefit from buying Emma James.
"For a retailer like Wal-Mart, which continues to struggle to offer an apparel brand that resonates with its core consumer, buying an established brand such as Emma James could be a way to create relevancy with the customer," Exstein wrote in a research note.
"For other retailers, such as Macy's, that already offer brands such as Ellen Tracy, buying the brand outright could be a way to fully control the product distribution and create a competitive advantage by making the line an exclusive, thus taking the product away from competitors," Exstein wrote.
"Kohl's Corp. (KSS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is a natural fit to pick up the Stamp 10 brand, which is sold exclusively in their stores," said Edward Jones analyst Stephanie Hoff. "They could be purchasers of that brand, but it's doubtful if they'd want to pick up many of the others," Hoff said.
Other exclusive lines that Liz is reviewing include First Issue, sold by Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD.O: Quote, Profile, Research); Tint, sold by J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Intuitions, sold by Dillard's Inc. (DDS.N: Quote, Profile, Research).
Melissa Otto, an analyst at WR Hambrecht & Co., pointed to Calvin Klein owner Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. (PVH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) as a potential acquirer as it seeks to gain exposure to affluent consumers through more expensive brands.
"We think Dana Buchman, Ellen Tracy and Sigrid Olsen would be complementary to PVH's IZOD and Calvin Klein women's lines that target a classic, affluent older consumer," Otto wrote in a research note. She also said those brands would give Phillips-Van Heusen exposure to customers who shop at high-end stores such as those operated by Nordstrom Inc. (JWN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Saks Inc. (SKS.N: Quote, Profile, Research).
"Additionally we think PVH's core wholesale, retail and Calvin Klein business initiatives are focused and running well, making the timing appropriate for new acquisitions," Otto said.
Macy's, J.C. Penney and Sears declined to comment, while Wal-Mart, Phillips-Van Heusen, Li & Fung, Kohl's and Dillard's were not immediately available.
Liz Claiborne said on Wednesday it expects to announce results of the review and formal plans for the brands by the second quarter of 2008. (Additional reporting by Sarah Coffey in New York, Karen Jacobs in Atlanta and Alexandria Sage in Los Angeles)

[masquerade]

I like Macy's plus department though. It has a lot more trendy clothing while a lot of stores just sell older stuff in plus (cough*lanebryant*cough). However, I agree that bloomies's sucks

this is old news but i just read on Luxx's blog that Rachel Pally is doing a plus collection for Nordstrom and im excited. I'll never be able to afford it, but like with Paige denim im glad that contemporary/younger brands are reaching out. Its so frustrating sometimes. Hopefully I'll catch something on sale

[lmelanie]

How is 3.1 philip lim when it comes to sizing? I know that he only goes up to a 10 but sort of 10 is it?

[classic1908]

At the Cinema Society with another style icon of mine, Jaci Wilson Reid (left).

[masquerade]

^I can't believe Vanity Fair chose her as one of the best dressed in the world

[classic1908]

Originally Posted by masquerade

^I can't believe Vanity Fair chose her as one of the best dressed in the world

Although I know I'm in the minority, I do basically like Marjorie's style, although I think it would look better on a taller person such as myself. But I absolutely love Jaci. She and her husband, Morris, look great together.

[Guessgirl96]

masq -- Although I agree there are tons of better dressed people, I think it's a lot harder to dress for her size which she does very well.

melanie, I'd say phillip lim runs a little on the big side but its hard to say since I dont have anything fitted from him (I dont know if Ive even seen him do anything fitted!)

[xmodel citizen]

The concept that you can't dress well if you're a plus-size and that Marjorie deserves kudos simply because she leaves the house in something other than a muumuu boggles the mind. Her clothing choices are completely unflattering. Certainly there must be one other plus-sized person with decent style in the entire world.

[sarahslug]

I love this thread.

Anyone got any tips for buying jeans? I just can't find any that flatter my shape (big bum and thighs).

[masquerade]

Originally Posted by xmodel citizen

The concept that you can't dress well if you're a plus-size and that Marjorie deserves kudos simply because she leaves the house in something other than a muumuu boggles the mind. Her clothing choices are completely unflattering. Certainly there must be one other plus-sized person with decent style in the entire world.

see, thats my problem with it. It just seems to me that they wanted to choose a plus-sized person for the list for whatever reason and they chose her. There are plenty of celebrities and socialites (I'm sure, though I don't follow the socialite scene so I don't know for certain) that would be better choices but they chose her. Probably because she is a socialite (and more valued for style in magazines like VF than celebs) and she is large.

at least that was my impression

[classic1908]

Originally Posted by xmodel citizen

The concept that you can't dress well if you're a plus-size and that Marjorie deserves kudos simply because she leaves the house in something other than a muumuu boggles the mind. Her clothing choices are completely unflattering. Certainly there must be one other plus-sized person with decent style in the entire world.

If you are looking at public, or public-esque larger women who that have polished style, there aren't many. Queen Latifah comes the closest, although she is often caught in dress-down modes in candids.

Mo'Nique is very hit-and-miss, and she also is not necessarily the most polished person that VF would want to promote.

And as someone who reads NYSD, I can tell you there aren't that many larger socialites who are easy on the eyes. I've seen a couple of others, and they look rough in the face.